Could someone please help me.

I want to make a fourm web site centered around one of my hobbies. The problem is that I have no idea how to do this. I am a member of many different websites and I know that I don't want to make the same mistakes those fourm site have made. All of them try to do their web site on a free service. I'm willing to pay for mine for the reliability. But how do I do it. I know I need someone to host it but I don't know what the good host are, and more importantly I don't know how to get the setup like this forum website. I know this sounds all over the place but thats the situation I'm in. All I want is a place where people can come and post in threads devoted to my interest, but where to even start seems like a well guarded secret no one wants to let me in on.

Could someone help me out?

Well, I'm as dumb as web hosts come:D, and I managed to set up a phpBB forum last night!

Pretty proud of it actually, but it was dead easy. You need a database (I used MySQL) and transfer/storage space. That's it!

You can take a look at it if you want:

Patashnik forum (http://www.patashnik.com/phpBB/index.php)

It's open source software as well! Free stuff!

Oh - and I can recommend Dixiesys (http://www.dixiesys.com) when it comes to web hosting. Cheap packages, great support.

Originally posted by biosphere
Well, I'm as dumb as web hosts come:D, and I managed to set up a phpBB forum last night!

Pretty proud of it actually, but it was dead easy. You need a database (I used MySQL) and transfer/storage space. That's it!

You can take a look at it if you want:

Patashnik forum (http://www.patashnik.com/phpBB/index.php)

It's open source software as well! Free stuff!

Oh - and I can recommend Dixiesys (http://www.dixiesys.com) when it comes to web hosting. Cheap packages, great support.

IkonBoard (www.ikonboard.com) is pretty easy as well. We've helped clients install it and phpBB in the past. Neither are all that hard to install, but if you've never installed a server side script before, it can be a bit daunting.

Ask around a few web hosts here and I'm sure you will find some that will install it if you open an account with them. Or perhaps put a request in the Web Hosting Requests forum stating what you need.

Take care,

Brian

I use YaBB (http://www.yabbforum.com) myself. I just love the way it looks :D

Nirmani.net offers to install a couple of different forum packages for their clients. I hosted a website for my son with them for about 2 months and was happy with the service.

Richard

Very very easy to do. Go out and get yourself a nice host that has at least PHP/MySQL, some of the better free forum software run off of these. I am hosted by www.below10host.com, they are pretty reliable, and I only pay $8.50 a month for 2 MySQL databases, 3GB of transfer and about 300 MB of space.

Then you need to go out and download forum software, if you want free, I suggest phpBB(http://www.phpbb.com/) or burningboard (http://www.woltlab.de/en/news.php) I found phpBB to be the easiet to set up. If you wanna pay for the forum then there is no other than the almighty vBulletin (http://www.vbulletin.com/) which WHT runs off. Once you download it follow the directions and you are golden. :cool:

Hope this helps a little.

not trying to spam here, but I set up my phpBB (http://forum.myrmid.com) very easily. The setup script makes it very simple.

Just get a database (via shell or phpMyAdmin) and then start at it!

I've installed Ikon, YaBB, and phpBB, so they are very simple.

Good luck :stickout

jt

Don't use ikonboard, it's a resource hog. It kills servers. the original developer though, Matt Mecham, developed a php/mysql version call iBforums (http://www.ibforums.com) I don't know if it's any good. In terms of a controlled board, vbulletin is the best as it has the best overall admin features. phpBB is phat when it comes to design though. however, lots of people shout: security holes. every program has its share of security holes.

In terms of hosting, I'd go for a reliable one. But start small and make sure you have room to grow as you get popular :)

I've used both Ikon and phpBB, they are each great in their own way. Be sure to go with PHP over Perl because chances are that it will use less resources. One you decide you can get any of the virtual hosting account that are advertised in this form.

Originally posted by Cyclonus
All I want is a place where people can come and post in threads devoted to my interest, but where to even start seems like a well guarded secret no one wants to let me in on.Hi Cyclonus,

If that's really all you need, take a look at Delphi Forums (http://www.delphiforums.com/) - IMO their message management for users is far better than any of the other boards. You don't need a website - your forum will be hosted by them.

I've used them heavily for nearly 3 years and they function well and reliably. They're free, forums are very easy to set up - no messing with scripts, databases etc - but there are a couple of caveats:

1. They will probably close down any forums which go against their ToS, so make sure you read it. Thousands of forums have been closed in the last 9 months.

2. They are mainly funded by advertising, so they are by no means guaranteed to be around in a years time. They're trying subscription services for added features now - my guess is their future depends on how that goes, and if ad revenue picks up.

If you need a hosted website anyway, then you're probably better off getting your own forum software installed.

Yabb Works Well...

i participate in this forum: vcfootball.com

I use DevBB because I prefer PHP and MySQL, they're a perfect team. One of my boards is here: http://smack.cherrysoda.nu

I say stick with vbulletin, its the cream of the crop.